Dear Dr. Man, I’m a 63 year old woman from Boca Raton. I’ve worn heavy earrings my entire life and now I’m paying for it. One of my earlobes is completely torn through and the other one is just about torn. Now I can’t wear earrings at all. Worse yet, everyone always asks me what is wrong with my ears. Can this be fixed? Can I wear earrings again one day?
The condition that you are experiencing is not uncommon; and there is surgery to help repair the damage to your ear lobes. Ear reconstruction can involve the entire ear or only a part - the lobe. Otoplasty is a general term for ear reshaping. Ear lobe reconstruction is much less involved than other forms of ear reshaping.
While earrings can add to a woman’s beauty, they can also add significant weight or trauma, causing the tissue in your earlobe to pull with enough pressure over time. A tear in the lobe or margin can leave a notch in an otherwise smooth, continuous edge. Large or heavy items will gradually elongate the hole and eventually tear through the lobe. This defect in one’s ear is usually very visible and difficult to cover up.
Most ear holes gradually enlarge over time- this is relatively normal for someone with pierced ears. The final tear is usually just through a tiny piece of tissue at the bottom of the lobe. If only the bottom is actually torn, immediate repair will not take care of the skin covered slot. However, if the tear starts from a tiny pierced hole, immediate repair is an option. Otherwise, reconstruction should be delayed until after the wound has healed and tissues are not inflamed.
Depending on the deformity, reconstruction can take different forms. In all methods, the skin lining the slot is removed, creating a raw edge to rebuild. Depending on the type of tear or the amount of damage in your ear, your plastic surgeon can use different techniques for surgery. When you meet with your board certified plastic surgeon, be sure to discuss the technique he or she plans to use for your surgery.
During most of these surgeries, local anesthetic is used to numb the earlobe. After surgery, most patients do not need anything stronger than an over-the-counter pain medication.
It is important to care for your earlobes after surgery. You should wash your wound with soap and water three times a day. Your doctor will prescribe you an antibiotic ointment that should be applied as well. You may experience some drainage from the wound after surgery. Sutures are usually removed by your surgeon within about seven days.
You should hold off wearing earrings for at least six weeks after surgery in order to give your earlobes time to heal properly. When you do resume wearing earrings, you should wear small, light earrings for at least two months after surgery. If your holes have been closed and you would like new holes pierced, I generally recommend waiting about six months after surgery.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Ask Dr. Man - Blepharoplasty
Dear Dr. Man, I just turned 60 years old and I am an attorney in Boca Raton. I have a beautiful wife who looks like she’s half my age. I feel that my saggy eyes make me look older than I am. I’m considering surgery to correct this, but I’m wondering if men typically get this kind of plastic surgery and if it can look natural. Also, what can I expect from surgery with regards to recovery?
Both men and women alike often opt for eye lifts in order to appear younger and more energetic. A blepharoplasty is the medical term for an eye lift, which is used to reduce the appearance of saggy eyes. Eye lifts are also used to treat ptosis, a medical condition that causes drooping eyelids and can sometimes impair vision, due to poor muscle tone or nerve damage.
More and more men are opting to have plastic surgery An increasing number of men today are having cosmetic surgery to help them look younger and more attractive. Like women, men have discovered the benefits of cosmetic surgery, both personally and professionally. Men are recognizing that wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, droopy eyelids, baldness and double chins may make them look old and tired, and appear less competitive on the job and in their personal lives.
As we age, our skin loses elasticity, and thus eyelids and the area under the eye can begin to sag, aging our appearace drastically. An eyelid lift can help improve this condition drastically. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon first makes an incision in the eyelid, and then removes fatty tissue from inside the eyelid. Next, the surgeon will pull the skin to a tighter position and reattach the skin. Surgery typically lasts from 2-3 hours.
After surgery, your surgeon will provide you with a list of ways to care for your eyes and a list of rules for what to do and what not to do. He or she will also prescribe an antibiotic in order to prevent infection, so be sure to let the doctor know if you have any medication allergies. Your surgeon will also prescribe you with lubricating eye drops in order to keep your eyes from becoming too dry or irritated. While recovering, you should refrain from wearing contacts or eye makeup, reading or watching television, or drinking alcohol. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain killers. Any substantial pain should be reported to your plastic surgeon.
Patients can usually return to work in 7-10 days and resume full activities in about 3 weeks. Candidates for a blepharoplasty include both men and women who are unhappy with the effects of aging on their appearance, but are otherwise physically healthy. People who have certain eye conditions, including glaucoma, may be ineligible for a blepharoplasty, and should consult with their surgeon before undergoing this, or any other type of surgery.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.
Both men and women alike often opt for eye lifts in order to appear younger and more energetic. A blepharoplasty is the medical term for an eye lift, which is used to reduce the appearance of saggy eyes. Eye lifts are also used to treat ptosis, a medical condition that causes drooping eyelids and can sometimes impair vision, due to poor muscle tone or nerve damage.
More and more men are opting to have plastic surgery An increasing number of men today are having cosmetic surgery to help them look younger and more attractive. Like women, men have discovered the benefits of cosmetic surgery, both personally and professionally. Men are recognizing that wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, droopy eyelids, baldness and double chins may make them look old and tired, and appear less competitive on the job and in their personal lives.
As we age, our skin loses elasticity, and thus eyelids and the area under the eye can begin to sag, aging our appearace drastically. An eyelid lift can help improve this condition drastically. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon first makes an incision in the eyelid, and then removes fatty tissue from inside the eyelid. Next, the surgeon will pull the skin to a tighter position and reattach the skin. Surgery typically lasts from 2-3 hours.
After surgery, your surgeon will provide you with a list of ways to care for your eyes and a list of rules for what to do and what not to do. He or she will also prescribe an antibiotic in order to prevent infection, so be sure to let the doctor know if you have any medication allergies. Your surgeon will also prescribe you with lubricating eye drops in order to keep your eyes from becoming too dry or irritated. While recovering, you should refrain from wearing contacts or eye makeup, reading or watching television, or drinking alcohol. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain killers. Any substantial pain should be reported to your plastic surgeon.
Patients can usually return to work in 7-10 days and resume full activities in about 3 weeks. Candidates for a blepharoplasty include both men and women who are unhappy with the effects of aging on their appearance, but are otherwise physically healthy. People who have certain eye conditions, including glaucoma, may be ineligible for a blepharoplasty, and should consult with their surgeon before undergoing this, or any other type of surgery.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Ask Dr. Man - Pregnancy after a Tummy Tuck
Dear Dr. Man, I live in Parkland- I’m 31 years old and I have 4 children. As a result of my pregnancies, I have a horrible stomach pooch problem. I have flabby hanging skin. I’m embarrassed to wear a bikini. No amount of exercise helps. I desperately want a tummy tuck. But here’s the thing- I think I may want to have another child in a few years. Can I still get a tummy tuck if I plan to get pregnant again? I’m hearing conflicting reports.
Tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a procedure in which excess fatty tissue and skin are removed from the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are tightened. This procedure is usually needed for women whose skin and muscles have stretched after pregnancy or for people who have lost a significant amount of weight and have loose hanging skin as a result. In my office, I perform what is called a lipoabdominoplasty, which is a technique that fuses together two common plastic surgery procedures into one: liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
Most often, women get this procedure after they are done having babies. In an ideal world, women who want to have children in the future should wait to get this procedure until after all pregnancies. In the real world, women often change their mind or decide to plan another pregnancy. Many women do become pregnant after this procedure; however, patients should keep in mind that flattening work and work on the muscle from the tummy tuck might be undone as a result of pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the skin and muscles of the abdominal area stretches out. Fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise build up on the abdomen and abdominal skin becomes loose. These all outcomes of pregnancy can be eliminated by lipoadbominoplasty. However, when a woman becomes pregnant after tummy tuck, the abdominal area treated by this procedure becomes affected and stretches out again in order to fit for the growing fetus. Abdominal wall muscles that had been restored by abdominoplasty can separate again. Re-stretched and loose skin may not look normal again.
Although, former abdominoplasty or lipoabdominoplasty is not a risk for an unborn fetus, it can change a women’s appearance. If the skin becomes loose again and muscles stretch out during pregnancy after tummy tuck, additional procedures may be performed in order to improve the appearance of the abdomen.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.
Tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a procedure in which excess fatty tissue and skin are removed from the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are tightened. This procedure is usually needed for women whose skin and muscles have stretched after pregnancy or for people who have lost a significant amount of weight and have loose hanging skin as a result. In my office, I perform what is called a lipoabdominoplasty, which is a technique that fuses together two common plastic surgery procedures into one: liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
Most often, women get this procedure after they are done having babies. In an ideal world, women who want to have children in the future should wait to get this procedure until after all pregnancies. In the real world, women often change their mind or decide to plan another pregnancy. Many women do become pregnant after this procedure; however, patients should keep in mind that flattening work and work on the muscle from the tummy tuck might be undone as a result of pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the skin and muscles of the abdominal area stretches out. Fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise build up on the abdomen and abdominal skin becomes loose. These all outcomes of pregnancy can be eliminated by lipoadbominoplasty. However, when a woman becomes pregnant after tummy tuck, the abdominal area treated by this procedure becomes affected and stretches out again in order to fit for the growing fetus. Abdominal wall muscles that had been restored by abdominoplasty can separate again. Re-stretched and loose skin may not look normal again.
Although, former abdominoplasty or lipoabdominoplasty is not a risk for an unborn fetus, it can change a women’s appearance. If the skin becomes loose again and muscles stretch out during pregnancy after tummy tuck, additional procedures may be performed in order to improve the appearance of the abdomen.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ask Dr. Man - Post-pregnancy breast lift
Dear Dr. Man, I’m 42 years old and live in Parkland. I have five amazing children. I’m definitely not having any more children and now that I know that, I need to have my breasts fixed. I breastfed all of my children and now I look like I have deflated balloons hanging from my chest. It’s awful and I’m so self-conscious. What can I have done to correct this problem?
Congratulations on your five children and for breastfeeding them all. Pregnancy and nursing, as you know, can take quite a toll on a woman’s breasts. Other factors, such as age and the force of gravity can also play a role. The reason is that the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts lose their shape and they begin to sag. Luckily, help is available.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. A breast lift repositions the breasts into a more pleasing position and gives a more pleasing contour and shape. A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.
If your breasts are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with mastopexy to increase both their firmness and their size. Breasts of any size can be lifted and enhanced, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
During the procedure, the surgeon will mark the areas of skin that will be removed above and below the areola. The nipple will then be moved to a new, higher position, while the excess skin above and below the nipple is removed and the breast reshaped. The procedure takes approximately two to four hours and can be performed in an outpatient surgery facility. Patients may experience temporary swelling, numbness and bruising. Most patients return back to work in 1 to 2 weeks and can resume full activities in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Since you aren’t planning to have more children, there should be no need to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast feeding), I do tell my patients that pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again, thus offseting the results of the procedure.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
Congratulations on your five children and for breastfeeding them all. Pregnancy and nursing, as you know, can take quite a toll on a woman’s breasts. Other factors, such as age and the force of gravity can also play a role. The reason is that the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts lose their shape and they begin to sag. Luckily, help is available.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. A breast lift repositions the breasts into a more pleasing position and gives a more pleasing contour and shape. A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.
If your breasts are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with mastopexy to increase both their firmness and their size. Breasts of any size can be lifted and enhanced, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
During the procedure, the surgeon will mark the areas of skin that will be removed above and below the areola. The nipple will then be moved to a new, higher position, while the excess skin above and below the nipple is removed and the breast reshaped. The procedure takes approximately two to four hours and can be performed in an outpatient surgery facility. Patients may experience temporary swelling, numbness and bruising. Most patients return back to work in 1 to 2 weeks and can resume full activities in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Since you aren’t planning to have more children, there should be no need to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast feeding), I do tell my patients that pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again, thus offseting the results of the procedure.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ask Dr. Man - Body Contouring
Dear Dr. Man, I’m a 36 year old man from Boca Raton. It took me 15 months, but I lost over 95 pounds. Although I lost the weight naturally with diet and exercise, I still have a lot of sagging skin. I feel so much better now, but I’m very self-conscious and find myself covering up a lot. I’m embarrassed to be intimate with a woman. Is there surgery I can get to correct this problem?
First and foremost, congratulations on your weight loss. Your hard work obviously paid off in a big way. Following a substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lose elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body size. As a result, skin can be severely stretched and unsupported. For example:
• Upper arms may sag and appear loose and full
• Breasts may flatten and hang with nipples pointed downward
• Abdominal area may extend around the sides and into the lower back area, resulting in an apron-like overhang
• Buttocks, groin and thighs can sag and cause hanging pockets of skin
Surgical body contouring following major weight loss improves the shape and tone of your underlying tissue that supports fat and skin, and removes excess sagging fat and skin. The result is a more normal appearance to the body, with smoother contours.
Before you decide to undergo body contouring, your weight loss must be stabilized. If you continue to lose weight, sagging pockets may redevelop. Also, if you rapidly regain the weight, you may traumatically stress your already weakened and thinned skin, causing further stress to the skin, visible stretch marks and wide scars.
Good candidates for body contouring are:
• Adults whose weight loss has stabilized
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what body contouring can accomplish
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness
There are several procedures that your plastic surgeon may discuss with you for your overall body contouring, including: a body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, etc. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss the options that may be right for you.
The decision to have body contouring surgery is extremely personal and you will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.
The results of a body contouring following weight loss are visible almost immediately. However, it may take as many as one to two years or more for the final results of all the recommended body contouring procedures to fully develop. Visible scars may remain, but the overall results are long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your initial improvement should be relatively permanent.
Speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon to see if body contouring is right for you.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
First and foremost, congratulations on your weight loss. Your hard work obviously paid off in a big way. Following a substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lose elasticity and cannot conform to the reduced body size. As a result, skin can be severely stretched and unsupported. For example:
• Upper arms may sag and appear loose and full
• Breasts may flatten and hang with nipples pointed downward
• Abdominal area may extend around the sides and into the lower back area, resulting in an apron-like overhang
• Buttocks, groin and thighs can sag and cause hanging pockets of skin
Surgical body contouring following major weight loss improves the shape and tone of your underlying tissue that supports fat and skin, and removes excess sagging fat and skin. The result is a more normal appearance to the body, with smoother contours.
Before you decide to undergo body contouring, your weight loss must be stabilized. If you continue to lose weight, sagging pockets may redevelop. Also, if you rapidly regain the weight, you may traumatically stress your already weakened and thinned skin, causing further stress to the skin, visible stretch marks and wide scars.
Good candidates for body contouring are:
• Adults whose weight loss has stabilized
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what body contouring can accomplish
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition and fitness
There are several procedures that your plastic surgeon may discuss with you for your overall body contouring, including: a body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, etc. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss the options that may be right for you.
The decision to have body contouring surgery is extremely personal and you will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.
The results of a body contouring following weight loss are visible almost immediately. However, it may take as many as one to two years or more for the final results of all the recommended body contouring procedures to fully develop. Visible scars may remain, but the overall results are long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your initial improvement should be relatively permanent.
Speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon to see if body contouring is right for you.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ask Dr. Man - Rhinoplasty
Dear Dr. Man, I’m a mother of 2 in Boca Raton. I’d like to have a nose job, but I’m slightly concerned. When I was a teenager, I used drugs, specifically cocaine. I haven’t used drugs in over ten years, but I’m concerned that my prior drug use may have an effect on the nose job. What do you think?
Some drugs that are "snorted" can damage the septum of the nose. The septum is the structure that separates the left and right sides of our nose, internally. During your initial consultation, I encourage you to be open and honest with your board-certified plastic surgeon. When he or she examines you, it should be a relatively easy diagnosis to make, since such damage is easily visible to the surgeon during an initial exam. If the surgeon sees that no damage exists, then rhinoplasty should be no different than in a patient who has no history of drugs. However, if you have suffered damage to the septum, there is a possibility of intermittent bleeding, as well as breathing problems related to the septal damage. Your surgeon should be able to advise you as to the best course of action.
Dear Dr. Man, I’m a 25 year old Boynton Beach native. Several of my friends have had rhinoplasty done, and they have told me that there is swelling for several days afterward. I work a lot, so I’m wondering when I can go back to work looking somewhat normal.
Everyone’s body heals differently. In general, by 7 to 10 days, most patients feel comfortable being in the public eye. In the days following surgery, your face may be bruised, but this passes. Each day, your nose will begin to look better. Healing is a gradual process; and some subtle swelling may be present for months after surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s post-operative healing instructions carefully; this will help with the healing and ensure minimal swelling and faster recovery.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
Some drugs that are "snorted" can damage the septum of the nose. The septum is the structure that separates the left and right sides of our nose, internally. During your initial consultation, I encourage you to be open and honest with your board-certified plastic surgeon. When he or she examines you, it should be a relatively easy diagnosis to make, since such damage is easily visible to the surgeon during an initial exam. If the surgeon sees that no damage exists, then rhinoplasty should be no different than in a patient who has no history of drugs. However, if you have suffered damage to the septum, there is a possibility of intermittent bleeding, as well as breathing problems related to the septal damage. Your surgeon should be able to advise you as to the best course of action.
Dear Dr. Man, I’m a 25 year old Boynton Beach native. Several of my friends have had rhinoplasty done, and they have told me that there is swelling for several days afterward. I work a lot, so I’m wondering when I can go back to work looking somewhat normal.
Everyone’s body heals differently. In general, by 7 to 10 days, most patients feel comfortable being in the public eye. In the days following surgery, your face may be bruised, but this passes. Each day, your nose will begin to look better. Healing is a gradual process; and some subtle swelling may be present for months after surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s post-operative healing instructions carefully; this will help with the healing and ensure minimal swelling and faster recovery.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
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